The earthquake in Japan and subsequent tsunamis reminds us how quickly a natural disaster can change our lives. If disaster struck in Pierce County, would you and your family be prepared?
The best way to survive is to prepare before disaster strikes. Choose a place for your family to meet after a disaster. Make arrangements with a person outside the immediate area for family members to contact in case you get separated. This person should live far enough away so he or she won’t be involved in the same emergency.
Know how to contact your children at their school or daycare, and how to pick them up after a disaster. Keep your child’s emergency release card up to date.
Each family member should have at least one complete change of clothing and footwear, as well as blankets and/or sleeping bags. Rain gear, hats, gloves, thermal underwear and sunglasses for each family member should also be included.
Keep tools and emergency supplies on hand. Include a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, booster cables, a fire extinguisher, maps, shovels, flares and a tire repair kit. Store these in the trunk of your car.
In the event that you are asked to evacuate, follow the instructions of local officials, wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes, take your disaster supplies kit, and lock your home.
If you have time and are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity.. Let someone else know where you are going; make arrangements for pets if they are not allowed in public shelters.
And remember to keep important family documents – such as wills, insurance policies, passports and family records – in a portable, waterproof container.
Learn first aid and CPR. Have a first aid kit, a first aid manual and extra medicine for family members. East Pierce Fire and Rescue offers CPR and first aid classes at least twice a month, free of charge to residents who live within the fire department’s jurisdiction. For class information and disaster supply kit recommendations, visit our website www.eastpiercefire.org.
Be the first to know about emergency situations in Pierce County by registering for the Pierce County ALERT system. The free, automated emergency notification, sent by the Pierce County of Emergency Management Division, alerts to citizens who live, work or go to school in Pierce County.
Public safety officials can send alerts about emergencies such as severe weather, flooding, power disruptions, major road closures or critical police activity. These emergency alerts may be sent 24 hours a day based on severity. The goal is to dispatch emergency messages within 15 to 30 minutes of an incident. The idea is to keep people from calling 9-1-1 to get information and overwhelming the emergency dispatch centers.
To register over the phone, call the Department of Emergency Management at 253-798-6595 or go online to www.piercecountywa.gov/ALERT. Up to ten different electronic devices can be registered.
Helpful Links:
East Pierce Fire & Rescue: www.eastpiercefire.org (go to public education/emergency preparedness)Pierce County: www.co.pierce.wa.us/PC/ (go to dept. of emergency management)
Washington State: http://access.wa.gov/ (go to the Emergency Management Division)
Federal Government: www.fema.gov
Ready America: www.ready.gov
The American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
